Residents 'tormented'

The claim follows an evening of anti-social behaviour which resulted in an ambulance crew being abused by youths. Police had to be called to the incident in which paramedics were tasked to the estate at around 8.30pm on Saturday. A concerned resident who witnessed the ordeal has now called upon the PSNI to form a heavier presence in the area at the weekends. The Kings Lane local says groups of up to 50 youths, from the ages of nine right up to 17, loiter in an area on Friday and Saturday nights drinking and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

The worried resident told the Sentinel: "The people of Kings Lane have had enough. On Saturday night local people witnessed the scale of what the area has become after paramedics were called to an incident and verbally abused by drunken children."

"This is a regular occurance and I think it is a disgrace that a service, that is already stretched to the limit, was abused in such a disgusting way. "

"I really think that it is about time that police are tasked to this area at the weekends because the situation is getting unbearable. Not only is it intimidating but people are almost scared to come out of their homes.

"Just last week I watched as a couple of young fellas stood and kicked a football up against a number of pensioners windows. It's unbelievable they can get away with it. The only time we see the police is when they are called to here. We need officers on the ground walking about and tackling this head on or people are going to begin moving out of the area."

Police have confirmed that they received a report of an ambulance crew being verbally abused in the area on Saturday night. They added that neighbourhood officers are continually working to resolve such issues within communities.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police attended a report of a female being verbally abusive to ambulance staff in the Kings Lane area on Saturday night (27th). The female was taken home."

Commenting on the issue of underage drinking the spokesperson added: "Unfortunately this is an issue that can arise in any town or village and usually causes disruption and annoyance to residents. The local neighbourhood officers are working to address issues of youths causing annoyance in the area and can be contacted at the station by anyone with concerns."

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirmed it's crew had been abused in the incident. UUP Councillor Jack Rankin condemned the incident.

"I totally condemn what is happening in the Kings Lane area and will be taking this matter up with the police to see if there can be anything down to put a stop to this behaviour," he said.